Thankful List for June

Exactly a year ago, I posted my first "thankful list".  At the time, we had no idea the extreme emotions the next year would hold from the excitement of our early referral to the heartbreak of changed plans and a little girl left indefinitely stranded.  But God, in His infinite wisdom, had me begin the "thankful list" when He did... knowing how much my heart would need it in the months to come. I am so glad this list has helped me count our blessings when at times I have not "felt" thankful at all.  

June Thankful List
-putting a package in the mail for Aida (it included a book with us reading to her, a dress, two wooden toys, stickers from Libby, football from Tuck)
-Ladonna’s sweet and perfect and generous gift of toys for the package
-Brenda Sander's thoughtfulness to offer to take the package, meet/ check on/and love on our girl for us
-Kind words sent from a missionary friend (that we only know through Facebook) who translated for that visit
-The over 100 pictures that came from her time with Aida
-The encouragement and peace of mind coming from the stories of that visit
-"Let trust and thankfulness stand guard, turning back fear before it can gain a foothold." -Jesus Calling

And a few random things that have nothing to do with adoption:
-finding kids reading
-Tuck got his first Libray Summer Reading Prize (he was excited about the sand bucket, I was excited about all the free kids meals to various eating places)
-celebrating birthdays
-listening to the conversation and laughter coming from the kid’s table
-neighborhood kids in our house

-Zack and Sam’s sweet wedding and watching the kids dance at the reception
-picnic outside with a rare nice breeze
-the kids “disco” party
-fajitas with the Weaver’s
-Chris Weaver and Josh Tiller's help with our fence project
-good bye lunch with Jessica (thankful for all her hard work as the BSM secretary, grateful she got a great job on campus)
-Kelli helping me cut out and deliver stuff
-Chick fil A is open!!
-"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise..." Psalm 8:2
-The Voice finale with the Tiller’s
-Ranger’s Game pre-Father’s day outing!
-Ben taking care of all kinds of things while we were gone
-4 kids hiding under a desk
-swim lessons

*our trip to Georiga and Florida (the June half):
-kids doing great on plane ride there- earning their "wings" (my parents generosity for flying us home)
-Stone Mountain (Libby dancing, Tuck catching fireflies, playing with cousins)    

-breakfast with Grandma Howerton (being able to take her to run errands)
-Tuck reading to Nana
-the HUGE burger
-making pizzas

-Grandmother, Aunt Carol, and Aunt Kathy meeting Libby for the first time
-Target and car time with Katie
-getting to see Ben (and the surprise it was for the kids!) (Ben’s parents generosity for flying him to Florida)

-the surprise one day trip to Disney World: Magic Kingdom and the amazing gift it was for us from Ben's grandmother (my favorite things- watching Libby bring laughter to a room when she and Micky “bumped noses” and she squealed with delight, Tuck saying it was the best day ever, never waited more than 30 minutes, riding the 1st ride- Dumbo)
-watching the kids at the beach
-Tuck’s excitment over getting to drive a boat

"Wait patiently with Me while I bless you."                                                                    -Jesus Calling